‘Galia’–Erik Bosio (7.5 minutes, recommended with headphones)

If she’s a boat, then I’m a lone wave
Blown by the dark wind
Broken on dark shores.
Galia, Galia
The wind the waves the tide the dark, the sea the wind the waves the tide, the dark the sea the wind the waves
Oh Galia
If I’m a wave, then she’s a shoreline
Watching the tide rise
Waiting to break me.
Galia, Galia
The wind the waves the tide the dark, the sea the wind the waves the tide, the dark the sea the wind the waves
Oh Galia. Galia, Galia

Big Deal
At last week’s Contemporary A Cappella Awards ceremony in Boston, Erik Bosio’s album “Revery” swept the evening with 9 wins out of 9 nominations, including several for the composition to which I contributed the lyrics, ‘Galia’. I’m duly honored if somewhat embarrassed, as I’ll explain below.
Just the Facts, Ma’am
We’re talking here about the world of contemporary a cappella music, a world I’ve been deeply involved in for 20 years as an activist, producer, singer and all-round nuisance. It’s a newish genre, flowering since the 1990s in Scandinavia and on US campuses. (A Cappella SoTW posts)

Ten years ago, I wrote the text for ‘Galia’, a ‘contemporary classical’ a cappella piece by the immensely talented Italian composer Erik Bosio.
This week the Contemporary A Cappella Society (CASA) announced the nominees for the annual Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARA). Erik’s album of his compositions, “Revery”, was nominated for nine awards, including Best Classical/Traditional Album and Best Folk/Word Album (genres have gotten too slippery to pigeonhole).
Four of those nominations were specifically for ‘Galia’, including Best Folk/World Song and Best Original Song.
I think “Revery” is very fine and ‘Galia’ is absolutely great. So why don’t I deserve the award?
The True-ish Back Story
Summer 2013, I was scrounging for material for Vocalocity, the 40-voice Contemporary A Cappella group I was forming on the fly, modeled on the Danish ‘rhythm choir’ Vocal Line. This musical cult I loved so dearly performed covers of pop hits in a rich, musically sophisticated, voices-only context. A vocal symphony of embellished rock covers.
Me, not content to leave alone what’s best left alone, decided to look for some original material for Vocalocity. I asked my Italiano cultist buddy Erik Bosio for suggestions.

Erik is a serious guy. He’s also just about the coolest dude I’ve ever met, from his attire all the way into his heart. He has a great, funky a cappella group, Cluster. He’s the #1 studio person for a cappella in Europe. And he composes choral music, I just didn’t know what kind.
“I’ll write you a piece,” said Erik.
Thud. [That was Jeff fainting.]
“Just send me a poem you like and I’ll write something around it.”
I have two degrees in Modern Poetry, so of course I couldn’t find anything suitable. I asked Erik to send me a sketch of a theme, which he did; to which, brazen and foolhardy, I wrote the lyrics.
The woman’s name ‘Galia’ means different things in different cultures. In Hebrew, my second language, it means The Wave of God (the water kind, not the ‘Hi!’ kind). Anyway, the name certainly has those connotations for me.
Vocalocity tried their best, but the group’s vibe was Pop, this was ‘serious’ contemporary classical art music, and ‘Galia’ didn’t fly. I believe Erik tried her with a choir in Italy, but that didn’t get off the ground either.
‘Galia’ lay in a drawer for nine years.
Then one day, what do I find in my mailbox?
A stunning, stunning piece of music that has my name on it. With—are you ready for this?—Erik singing all the male voices, 3 women singing all the female parts.
The Tickle of the Fickle Finger of Fate

Let me be very clear—‘Galia’ is Erik’s work. I was perhaps an instigator, a facilitator, and a minor contributor — you can’t even make out some of the words on those long, sub-audible C’s for the basses and those banshee-high B-flats for the sopranos. But they sound okay, so they don’t detract from Erik Bosio’s and Jeff Meshel’s moving composition, ‘Galia’.
When I say I feel my contribution here is minor, it’s not false modesty. It’s unfair that my name gets equal billing with Erik.
I’ve certainly had other experiences in my various creative endeavors. Some have gotten much less recognition or appreciation than I thought they deserved. And there have even been a couple where I thought the warm reception wasn’t totally warranted. But of course, the default mode of an obsessively creative person is disappointment. Never to be satisfied, that’s what stokes that insatiable appetite.
So maybe with ‘Galia’ I won some sort of cosmic lottery for poetic justice, getting so much reward for so little investment.
amazing story and result!
This is haunting and beautiful. You forgot to tell us to plug the headphones in! It’s echoing in my mind after the music is complete. Stunning. Congratulations
Gorgeous. The imagery, the quiet rolling, the rise and fall. Bravo..
Absolutely gorgeous Jeff
Some portions sound like an organ. Unexpectedly beautiful.
Love it
Amazing, Jeff! I still remember how difficult this was to sing.
Hope you are doing well!
All the best.
Absolutely took my breath away! Whenever, wherever, the score becomes available I’ll make a grab for it! Thanks, Jeff, for being “an instigator, a facilitator, and a minor contributor,” and for sharing this with us!
Yep…..!
Gorgeous. I do see it as a collaboration despite your disclaimer. The lyric inspired it. The combination made it. Do more work with him!
Gorgeous piece – and amazing artwork for it/this post too.
It looks like the sheet music is available https://www.all-sheetmusic.com/Artists/Erik-Bosio/Galia.html
Hi Jeff,
You revived some warm memories of my days with you and vocalocity!
Thanks a lot!
Uri
So little investment? I respectfully disagree. Your haunting words are the springboard into this other world, the inspiration for my daydreams. It’s just what I need right now. Thank you for sharing this siren song.
Thanks so much, including for reminding me that ‘Galia’ was indeed published under the Ferrimontana label and I assume available for purchase.
this is really beautiful.
What a story! And what a beautiful song! Erik produced and sang another spectacular one. And you co-wrote it. Be proud, because without you this piece wouldn’t exist.
Beautiful!
Your not-false modesty is misplaced.
Congratulations to Erik and you on this beautiful work, and on the recognition you both deserve!
Shabbat shalom
I’m struck with the difficulty of the vocal lines. I love the dynamics achieved. Dramatic and beautiful, lush chords. Would take one’ s breath away to hear it performed live. A well deserved accolade!
It is truly wonderful. Remember the day we tried it with Vocalocity.
You deserve the recognition, buddy. Enjoy it.
Jeff, you are a life-blood of “music”. Those who love “music’ love you—(me, included). This particular piece of music. can flourish quite
well without the lyrics. Understand that I believe lyrics are “music” too. Only in this case, not so much. I liked this piece but am not
crying out to hear it again. Not a good sign. Keep up the good work.
so proud of you, Jeff! well deserved.
This is one of the most beautiful works I’ve ever heard in my entire life. Thank you.
Congratulations Jeff, your lyrics are the base for Erik’s melody, so all the accolades are well deserved. Hope you’re keeping well in these crazy times.